Buckeye, Arizona - Miriam Ruth (McLeod) Loughead, 85, of Buckeye, Arizona went home to the Lord Thursday, June 8, 2023. She was born to Lacy Sloan McLeod and Dorothy Louise (McCauley) McLeod on October 7, 1937, in Phoenix, AZ.

Her family moved to Mayer, AZ in 1941 where she attended grade school while living on a working cattle ranch in Yavapai County. The family moved back to Phoenix during her eighth-grade year and then to Casa Grande, AZ. She graduated from Casa Grande Union High School in 1955 and briefly attended Arizona State College.

Miriam was a secretary in the Pinal County office for The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Service. That is where she met Herold Vernon Loughead, who she would marry and raise five children with. She was a stay-at-home mom until her children were all in school. She started work part-time as a Show Secretary at the Arizona National Livestock Show and was promoted to full-time secretary and assistant bookkeeper. She also worked part-time as Show Secretary for the Livestock Superintendent at the Arizona State Fair many years.

Miriam was a cooking and sewing 4-H Club Leader as well as her children's chauffeur, wrangler and cheerleader for summer reading programs at the local library, swimming lessons, sports, Maricopa County Fair, Arizona State Fair, Arizona National Livestock Show and all things 4-H and FFA. She was awarded the Honorary Chapter Farmer Degree from the Buckeye FFA Chapter and the Honorary State Farmer Degree from the Arizona Association FFA.

In retirement, Miriam kept busy using her sewing skills to make many a hooded towel, receiving blanket, burp cloth and "bumpy burps" for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and anyone else who enjoyed hand-made baby gifts.

She is preceded in death by her parents and grandson Devin Willard. She is survived by her sister, Janice (McLeod) Wood; her children, Jim (Tracie) Loughead of Gilbert; Lauren (Don) Lackey of Buckeye; Scott Loughead of Chandler; Leigh (Todd) Wilson of Yuma and Lisa (Joe) Willard of Buckeye; grandchildren, Brien (Justin) Valdez, Brett (Dani) Lackey, Brooke (Greg) Sando, Tiffany Wilson, Mandi (Casey) Compte, Dustin Loughead, Delynn Loughead and Audra Loughead; great -grandchildren, Chase, Ella, Courtney and Quinn Valdez, Audrey and Emery Sando, Olivia, Caleb and Caden Compte, Kamden and Tate Lackey; several cousins, nieces and nephews who were all dear to her.

Graveside Services will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, June 16, 2023, at Glendale Memorial Park, 7844 N. 61st Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301. A reception will follow at the home of Lauri and Don Lackey.

In lieu of flowers please consider contributing to the Loughead Family Memorial Scholarship through the Arizona Agricultural Education FFA Foundation, PO Box 5310, Glendale, AZ 85312, www.azffafoundation.org.